For nearly four decades, Prince broke ground as a songwriter and musician, mixing funk, soul, R&B and rock—along with signature falsetto vocals. He won seven Grammys, had four No. 1 albums, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

When “The Joker” became a hit for the Steve Miller Band in 1974, it was then that Mr. Miller realized he might be onto something. “All of a sudden I could play bigger places. Instead of a step van, I could get a truck.”

New Orleans musician and producer Allen Toussaint has died of an apparent heart attack at age 77. Toussaint, who penned songs recorded by R&B acts such as Lee Dorsey and rock groups including The Rolling Stones and The Who, helped shape the sounds that came to define the Crescent City.

The White House announced this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor. The honorees include politicians, activists, athletes and entertainers, among others.